The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-02
The Horrible Fate That Overlook the
Members Of Three Sleeping Families.
Their Rooms Torn to Pieces by an Explosion.
Which Is Followed by Fire-Eight Killed
and Three Seriously Injured.
Cause of the Explosion Not Known, but
1t Is Attributed to Escaping Gas.
Nellie Newman, a Survivor. Relates Her Ex.
One Man Saved from the Lost Vernon.
Eight Persons Killed and Three .SeriousI
Hurt-A Terrible Awakening.

A DEADLf EAPLOSlONs
Eight Persons Killed and Three Seriously
Hurt-A Terrible Awakening.
ST. LOUIS, Nov IA flash. followed by a
dull roar, and then the crash of walls, convulsed
the center of this city at 203 this morning, and
the clamor that followed carried the rumor of the
horrible calamity that had befallen three fami-
lies while wrapped in slumber. An explosion of
gasoline in the rear of the cellar oe Michael
Newmans grocery store, No. Is South Four
teenth street. had lifted the two-story building
from its foundation and dropped it back again in
mass, beneath which were buried seventeen
persons. They were:
MICHAEL NEWMAN aged ffty-two years
MRS. ANNIE n EWMAN. aged forty years.
JOHN aIS, NEWMAN, sStrNl, aged sixteen years
kATE ATE, NEWMAN. .,Sy,sl1 aged eleven years
CHARLES n. DEVERE.
MRS. CHARLES DEVERE.
MRS. AGNES BEASLEY.
MISS MAMIE NEWMAN, aged eighteen twill die }
Nellie Newman is seriously hurt but will re-
cover; Mrs. Belle Wilson, slightly; Miss Hattie
Bryant, slightly.
The messenger of death had scarcely wrecked
the place before fire swept through the ruins
Human aid was quickly on the scene, but in
such confusion that the horror seemed to in
with the efforts to relieve the impris-
oned victims. The people of the neigh hborhood
dumfounded, many bruised and none in their
normal state, rushed about the streets, seeking
friends, demanding explanations or moaning
from bruises. The sheet of fame that had
swooped down upon the ruins bafied the efforts
Of the firemen. who had begun the first system
attic work. and for few minutes bid fair to
spread into adjoining property. But good work
won, and then began the search for the dead
The store was on the corner Of the alley run
and was the north room of the building cover
ing Nos. Z. and II South Fourteenth street.
The bull ding. two-story brick, was completed
but short time ago. and only one store-room
was occupied. All of the upstairs portion
occupied by tenements. Mr.. Newman and his
family of seven lived over the store.
The force of the explosion was terrific, the en-
tire block of buildings north of and across the
alley from the building in which the explosion
took place gutted by the blast. The New
block, crushed in, covered by the rooe.S
which had settled down upon tho ruins and
formed a barrier through which the rescuers
had to cut away beams and walls, i'm peded prog
ress and threatening walls on either side over
hung. ready to crush the fremen who pressed
to the spot where calls for help directed them.
The roof was soon removed, and in the debris
were revealed the mangled forms of the gro
ceryman's family. Two ladies, Newman's
daughters. were first removed. Mamie, nine
teen years of age, still alive, but mangled
from the timbers AID charred by fire, was be-
yond the hope of recovery. Her sister Nellie,
girl of fifteen years, moaned piteousy for her
sister, and seemed to forget her own terrible in
juries in mournful inquiries for her sister. For
the half hour that these two had been impris-
oned their efforts had been to draw near to each
other when they saw escape impossible. Neither
can survive. The rest Of the Newman family
were dead. Some sat upright and others were
doubled in their beds. Life had evidently fed
while they were wrapped in slumper.
"In the Same building, over store room No. 9.
lived Charles n. Devere. /. travelling salesman.
and his WIFE Visiting them was Miss Hattie
Bryant of Columb bus, KY. She was badly in.
iured. but miracuously escaped DEATH the only
person who passed through the horrible ordeal
and lives to tell the story of escape. She awoke
to find herself buried beneath heavy timbers,
somewhere against wall. She is unable to
tell where she was thrown, but when her eyes
opened she beheld thrilling scene that had all
the effect of horrible dream On side q
wall of fire reached to the sky, while the crash
ing timbers and the clatter of iron caused
storm OF dangerous missiles to hy about her
head. The cries of those in the burning build
ing rang in her ears, and she realized her
situation she almost tainted. but, nerved to a
last desperate struggle by the groans of the
dying, she essayed to escape, but found her
efforts baffed at every turn. She was firmly
pinned by a beam across her thigh and an iron
rod ankle. She could not tell what
means she employed to get out, but as she
twisted and struggled in vain. the fire was
blown towards her until her long.
odor of burning meats penetrated her lungs
and almost suffocared her. Relief appeared
hopeless, and just as she sank back in dispair
the ruins settled down and the overhaneing
timbers were raised from the linn bs which were
fettered in the deadly embrace. No time to
be lost. as the fire pressed close around her.
With an extraordinary effort Miss Bryant
sprang to her feet and staggering. falling and
rolling. made her way through the ruins with
out knowing where she WAS going, possess
ing power to feel way to safety Again |
and again she fell, aud, she says, her strength |
was completely exhausted and she stumbled for |
ward. falling headlong into open space |
where she lay unconscious for few minutes. |
She was restored by cool breeze that brought |
the blood to her brain, and she again to her |
feet to find herself in the comparative safety of
a email rear yard Thence she ran to a neigh |
bor's house. and. climbing through balcony, |
sank down In a swoon. A neighbor found her |
there and carried her into the street, where she /
was given a skirt and some clothing She paid |
no attention to the kind Offices of friendly hands.
but went down to the scene of the explosion ard |
there IN agony, eagerly scanning |
charred and bruised faces as the firemen carried |
the victims from the huge heap Of splintered |
material
Besides those injured in this building were
many persons IN the neigh borhood more or less
cut and bruised, for the flying sp1ipterS and |
bricks did not alone destroy the New man store.
For ssverai blocks on either side of the streets
the concussion shattered the windows, and in
the immediate vicinity. on the opposite side of /
the way, the doors of buildings we're mashed in
by the terrib force and scarcely a window or a
door remains. Walls cracked, floors gave way.
and plaster fell in almost every house within
radius of a hundred yards, and the heads of
the sleeping residents fell with horrible sudden
ness. The ambulance service was excellent.
The wagons sent to the scene brought skilled
attendants. and many physicians were hand
as soon as their services could be used. Moth
ing was spared TO relieve the sufferers and as
they were removed from the debris they were
taken i'm mediatey to the dspensary. The police
soon had con troll of the crowd. and vandals had
no opportunity to'piy their trade, as watchmen
we're placed IN the shattered buildings before
the rogues dared to enter. The fremen worked
st the fallen buildings regardless of adjacent
walls which lowered with impending danger
With daylight came the word that all the vic
inns had been removed
The corrected list of dead and wourded shows